Opera Australia will embark on its 26th annual National Tour with a new production by director Priscilla Jackman of Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, commencing at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong* on Friday 15 July 2022.
The opening marks the beginning of a three-month tour that will visit 22 metropolitan and regional theatres throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and in Canberra.
In a contemporary Australian reimagining of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, award-winning director Jackman brings a hipster aesthetic to the famous barber Figaro and presents leading lady Rosina as more than just a pretty face.
The story has been set in the real-life Victorian town of Seville, nestled amongst the renowned Yarra Valley wine region.
Opera Australia began its National Tour in 1996 and over the years it has presented many of the country’s finest singers and musicians to more than 30,000 people across 117 metropolitan and regional locations.
Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has impressed the ongoing value the National Tour has in increasing audience access to world-class performances.
“The National Tour remains a key opportunity and a great pleasure for Opera Australia to bring exceptional talent to a broad range of audiences, particularly those living in regional areas,” he said.
“Many of this cast are coming directly from acclaimed seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne to perform in a premiere production for audiences right in their hometowns.”
“We are particularly thrilled to be working with a director of Priscilla Jackman’s calibre, who has created this wonderful production that brings forth the fun and frivolity of Rossini’s music.” said Mr Terracini.
In a role debut for both, sopranos Esther Song and Cathy-Di Zhang will share the role of Rosina. Two of Australia’s finest young tenors, Nicholas Jones and John Longmuir, will share the role of Count Almaviva and baritones Haotian Qi and Andrew Williams will share the role of Figaro.
The Regional Children’s Chorus program continues as a mainstay of the National Tour where, under the direction of Children’s Chorus Master Kate Stuart, children are selected by their local choir leaders to join the professional cast in rehearsal and performance.
This year over 400 children will experience the excitement of performing onstage alongside the outstanding cast, to an audience of family, friends and their broader communities.
Conductor: Luke Spicer | Director: Priscilla Jackman | Featuring: Esther Song, Cathy-Di Zhang, Nicholas Jones, John Longmuir, Haotian Qi, Andrew Williams, Andrew Moran, Michael Lampard, Shane Lowrencev, David King, Jennifer Black, Dominica Matthews, Regional Children’s Chorus | Set Designer: Michael Scott-Mitchell | Costume Designer: Sabina Myers | Lighting Designer: Morgan Moroney | Orchestration: Simon Bruckard
The Barber of Seville will commence its extensive national tour at Dandenong’s Drum Theatre on Friday 15 July 2022. For more information including performance schedule, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: The Barber of Seville – Opera Australia National Tour 2022 – courtesy of Opera Australia
Please note: the Dandenong season of The Barber of Seville at the Drum Theatre as been cancelled due to illness. The season will commence at the Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool on Thursday 21 July 2022.